Larry Berg is set to replace Don Garber as Major League Soccer’s commissioner, ushering in a new chapter for the league that has grown from a modest 12‑team venture into a 30‑team powerhouse.
A New Era for MLS
Under Garber’s two‑decade stewardship, MLS expanded its footprint across the United States and Canada, launched the Soccer United Marketing joint venture, and built a network of academies that have begun to produce home‑grown talent.
Berg’s first priority will be to shift the league’s calendar from a spring‑to‑fall format to a summer‑to‑spring schedule, with a shortened sprint season slated for early 2027 and a full transition slated for July 2027.
The commissioner will also negotiate a new media‑rights agreement that is expected to run through 2029, a deal that could dramatically increase the league’s revenue stream and influence its broadcasting landscape.
Five clubs — Inter Miami, LAFC, LA Galaxy, Atlanta United and NYCFC — are each valued at more than $1 billion by Forbes, underscoring the financial stakes of Berg’s upcoming decisions.
Berg’s résumé includes ownership of Italy’s AS Roma and England’s Swansea City, as well as a stint as a co‑owner of LAFC, a team that captured the 2022 MLS Cup under his watch.
While he will divest his stake in LAFC upon taking office, Berg says his focus is on fostering relationships across the ownership group, understanding diverse perspectives, and executing a comprehensive plan that leverages the league’s recent World Cup success.